Pre-rinse assembly

ABSTRACT

The spray head of the spray head assembly of the pre-rinse assembly has five different positions to deliver five different types of water patterns.The spray head has internal ports that communicate with openings that have spouts or an aperturedplate to delivera full full stream, a jet stream or a mist. In addition, the spray head has ports that communicate with two separate internal chambers that, in turn, communicate with a pair of concentric rings of openings to deliver a center spray pattern or a shower spray pattern of water. The spray head can be used to wash or rinse utensils that need cleaning, to scour adhered food particles from utensils using a jet spray, and to apply a mist or shower pattern to foods that need refreshing or cleaning.

This invention relates to a pre-rinse assembly. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a pre-rinse assembly dicharging water in differentspray patterns.

As is known, various types of water-spray assemblies have been employedfor the rinsing and washing of dishes, pots, pans, utensils and the likein commercial and institutional establishments. Typically, thesewater-spray assemblies are mounted on or adjacent sinks and aremanipulated manually by a dishwasher in order to deliver streams orsprays of water onto the items to be rinsed in the sink. In many cases,the spray assemblies employ a flexible hose, which is connected to awater-riser pipe to receive a flow of water and a spray-head at the endof the hose to deliver multiple sprays of water onto the items to berinsed.

Generally, the spray assemblies have been provided with a spray headthat is able to deliver a single flow of water for washing purposes ormultiple streams in a spray for rinsing purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a pre-rinse assembly thathas a spray-head assembly capable of delivering three or more differenttypes of water patterns to accommodate the cleaning desired.

It is another object of the invention to provide a spray-head assemblythat can be used to deliver different flow patterns selected from ajet-stream, mist pattern, shower pattern, center pattern or conventionalfall spray pattern.

It is another object of the invention to provide a spray-head assemblythat can be easily manipulated by hand to deliver different patterns ofwater spray for various purposes.

Briefly, the invention provides a pre-rinse assembly comprised of a hosesub-assembly, a grip and a spray-head assembly.

The hose sub-assembly is of any suitable construction having an inletend for connecting to a riser and a discharge end at an opposite end.

The grip is of any suitable construction and is secured to the dischargeend of the hose sub-assembly and has a duct for a flow of water.

The spray-head assembly includes a housing that is secured to the gripand that has a passage in communication with the grip in order toconduct a flow of water therefrom as well as a spray-head rotatablymounted on the housing. The spray head has a plurality of ports forselective communication with the passage in the housing in order todischarge water therefrom in a predetermined spray pattern.

In accordance with the invention, the spray head has at least threecircumferentially spaced-apart outlets for selective communication withthe passage in the housing. One of these outlets has a spout ofcylindrical shape to discharge a single full stream of watertherethrough. A second of the outlets has a spout of smaller diameterthan the first spout to discharge a jet stream of water therethrough.The third of the outlets is provided with a plate with a plurality ofopenings to discharge a water mist therethrough.

The spray head is constructed so that it may be readily rotated relativeto the housing in order to bring a selected outlet in the spray headinto communication with the passage in the housing of the spray-headassembly. Thus, a user may adjust the spray-head assembly into aposition to direct a full stream of water into a sink for washing foodparticles and the like from dishes, pots or pans, and the like. Wherethe food particles are more adherent to the utensil, the user may rotatethe spray head into position to discharge a jet-stream of water onto theutensils in order to drive off adhered food particles. In a similarmanner, the spray-head may be rotated into position to allow a mist tobe discharged, for example, for refreshing food items, such as lettuce.

The spray-head is also provided with a first set of concentric rings ofopenings for selective communication with the passage in the secondhousing for discharging a plurality of water streams therethrough in acentral pattern. These rings of openings are disposed centrally withinthe first three outlets.

Still further, the spray-head is provided with a second set ofconcentric rings of openings for selective communication with thepassage in the second housing for discharging a plurality of waterstreams therethrough in a shower pattern. These concentric rings ofoutlets are disposed peripherally of the spray-head, that is, outsidethe first three outlets.

The spray-head is also provided internally with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses while a spring-biased detent isdisposed in the housing for selective placement coaxially in one of therecesses in order to retain the spray-head in a selected positionrelative to the housing.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates a spray head assembly constructed in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a spray head assembly mounted on a grip inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spray head assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the spray head of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a modified spray-head assembly constructedin accordance with the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pre-rinse assembly 10 includes a hosesub-assembly 11 that extends from a riser 12, a grip 13 and a spray headassembly 14. By way of example, the riser 12 is in the form of avertical pipe through which water may flow from a tap 15 on a sink 16.As shown, the riser 12 is secured at an intermediate point via a clamp17 to a wall bracket 18.

The hose sub-assembly 11 has an inlet end secured to the riser 12 aswell as a discharge end that is secured to the grip 13.

Referring to FIG. 2, the grip 13 is provided with a handle 19 and valveassembly 20 of conventional structure that can be actuated in order topass water through the grip 13 into the spray head assembly 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spray-head assembly 14 includes a housing 21 ofconical shape and a hollow connector 22 that is mounted in and thatprojects from the housing 21. The connector 22 defines a passage 23 forthe flow of water from the grip 13 (not shown) and that is of hexagonalinner shape for assembly purposes as explained below.

A pair of O-rings 24 are disposed between the outer periphery of theconnector 22 and an inner periphery of the housing 21 in a compressedmanner to preclude relative rotation between the housing 21 and theconnector 22 and also to provide circumferential seals between thehousing 21 and the connector 22. The exposed end of the connector 22 hasan external male thread 25 in order to be threaded into the grip 13.

The spray-head assembly 14 also includes an inner housing 26 that issecured to and within the first housing 21. As shown, a hollow plug 27of cylindrical shape is fixedly mounted in a circular recess 31 in theinner housing 26 and is of a length to extend up to the connector 22 toform a flow path for a flow of water from the connector 22. The hollowplug 27 is slidably mounted within a cylindrical counter-bore 28 in theouter housing 21. An O-ring 29 is mounted on a shoulder 30 of the plug27 in order to seal against the housing 21.

As shown, the connector 22 has a collar 32 that is seated against ashoulder of the housing 21.

The plug 27 has a bore 33 in an end wall to allow the passage of waterfrom the connector 22 through the plug 27 into the inner housing 26.

The inner housing 26 includes a passage 34 in communication with thepassage in the connector 22 to convey water therethrough. This passage34 is offset from a central axis 35 of the spray-head assembly. AnO-ring 36 is seated at the terminal end of the passage 34.

As illustrated, the inner housing 26 is provided with a counter-bore 37at the discharge end and receives a plunger 38 and a spring 39 thatbiases the plunger 38 in a direction out of the bore 37 for purposes asdescribed below.

In assembling the spray-head assembly 14, the connector 22 is slid intothe outer housing 21 and the male thread 25 is threaded into the grip13. A hexagonal wrench is then passed into the hexagonal bore 23 of theconnector 22 and rotated to wrench the thread 25 into an internal threadin the grip 13 thereby firmly securing the housing 21 to the grip 13. Atthis time, the housing 21 abuts the grip 13 and the collar 32 of theconnector 22 clamps against the housing 21.

Next, the plug 27 is fitted into the inner housing 26 and these twocomponents are secured together, as by ultrasonic welding, and movedinto the outer housing 21 with the plug 27 facing the connector 22. Theinner housing 26 is then fixedly secured to the first housing 21, forexample, by screws or ultrasonic welding.

The spray-head assembly 14 also includes a spray head 40 that isrotatably mounted on the inner housing 26. The spray head 40 isinitially formed of two pieces, for example, of plastic, that aresecured together, for example, by ultrasonic welding to form a one-pieceunit.

The spray-head 40 is of annular shape and is held in place by a screw 41that passes through an opening in the spray head 40 into threadedengagement with a counter-bore 42 in the inner housing 26.

The spray head 40 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apartports 43, i.e. five, in the inner surface (only one of which is shown inFIG. 4) that are disposed to be brought into selective communicationwith the passage 34 in the inner housing 26.

The spray head 40 is also provided with a pair of internal chambers,which are partitioned from each other. Each chamber 44, 45 communicateswith the passage 34 in the inner housing 26 via a respective port (notshown).

Referring to FIG. 4, the spray head 40 has an opening in the outersurface that communicates with one of the ports 43 and that is providedwith a spout 46 of cylindrical shape in order to discharge a full streamof water from the spray head 40.

The spray head 40 also has a second opening in the outer surface thatcommunicates with a second port 43 and that is provided with a spout 47of cylindrical shape that is of a smaller diameter than the spout 46 inorder to discharge a jet stream from the spray head 40.

The spray head 40 also has a third opening in the outer surface thatcommunicates with a third port 43 and that is provided with a plate 48with a plurality of openings 49 to discharge a water mist from the sprayhead 40.

The internal chamber 44 of the spray head 40 communicates with a pair ofconcentric rings of openings 50 disposed centrally of the spouts 46, 47and plate 48. These openings 50 serve to deliver a plurality of streamsof water for a center spray pattern from the spray head 40.

The second internal chamber 45 communicates with a pair of concentricrings of openings 51 disposed peripherally of the spray head 40 outsidethe spouts 46, 47 and wall 48. These openings 51 serve to deliver ashower spray pattern from the spray head 40.

Referring to FIG. 1, the spray head 40 has a polygonal-shaped outerperiphery in order to provide a gripping surface for manual gripping androtating of the spray head 40 relative to the inner housing 26. Inaddition, the spray head 40 has a flattened peripheral surface 52 whichcan be provided with indicia corresponding to and indicative of thepositions of the spray head 40 relative to the inner housing 26 for easeof alignment.

The spray head 40 also has plurality of circumferentially spacedrecesses 53 into which the plunger 38 may be biased in order to hold thespray head 40 in one of the selected positions of use.

When the spray head 40 rotates relative to the inner housing 26, theO-ring 36 about the terminal end of the passage 34 provides an effectiveseal to prevent leakage of water between the inner housing 34 and thesurfaces of the spray head 40.

In order to mount the spray head 40 on the inner housing 26, the sprayhead 40 is simply slid over the inner housing 26 and the screw 41threaded into place in order to retain the spray head 40 in fixed butrotatable relation to the inner housing 26.

Referring to FIG. 1, the spray head assembly 14 may be constructed so asto extend essentially coaxially from the grip 13. However, the sprayhead assembly may be constructed to extend angularly of the grip 13′ asindicated in FIG. 5 wherein like reference characters indicate likeparts as above.

The invention thus provides a pre-rinse assembly that can be manipulatedby a user in order to deliver one of at least five different sprays fordifferent purposes. For example, a full stream of water may be deliveredvia the spout 46 for general washing purposes. A jet stream may bedelivered via the spout 47 in order to increase the scrubbing orscouring effect of the water on food particles that are more adherent toa utensil being cleaned. A mist may be delivered for purposes ofspraying food, such as lettuce, to maintain the crispness of the food.Further, a center spray may be provided via the openings 50 for rinsingpurposes or a shower may be provided via the openings 51 for washingfood items in bulk.

1. A pre-rinse assembly comprising a hose sub-assembly having an inletend for connecting to a riser and a discharge end at an opposite end; agrip secured to said discharge end of said hose sub-assembly and havinga duct for a flow of water; and a spray head assembly including ahousing secured to said grip and having a passage in communication withsaid grip to conduct a flow of water therefrom, and a spray headrotatably mounted on said housing and having a plurality of openings forselective communication with said passage in said housing to dischargewater therefrom in at least three different spray patterns.
 2. Apre-rinse assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spray head hasat least three circumferentially spaced apart ports for selectivecommunication with said passage in said housing, one of said portscommunicating with a first spout of a first diameter for discharge of afull stream of water therethrough, a second of said ports communicatingwith a second spout of a diameter less than said diameter of said firstspout for discharge of a jet stream of water therethrough and a third ofsaid ports communicating with a plate having a plurality of outlets fordischarge of a water mist therethrough.
 3. A pre-rinse assembly as setforth in claim 2 wherein said spray head has a fourth port for selectivecommunication with said passage in said housing, an internal chamber incommunication with said fourth port to receive a flow of water therefromand at least a pair of concentric rings of openings in communicationwith said chamber for discharge of a plurality of water streamstherethrough.
 4. A pre-rinse assembly as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid pair of concentric rings of outlets are disposed centrally of saidpre-rinse to discharge a center spray pattern of water.
 5. A pre-rinseassembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pair of concentric ringsof outlets are disposed peripherally of said spray to discharge a showerspray pattern of water. 6 A pre-rinse assembly as set forth in claim 1wherein said pre-rinse has a port for selective communication with saidpassage in said housing, an internal chamber in communication with saidport to receive a flow of water therefrom and at least a pair ofconcentric rings of outlets in communication with said chamber fordischarge of a plurality of water streams therethrough. 7 A pre-rinseassembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pair of concentric ringsof outlets are disposed centrally of said pre-rinse to discharge acenter spray pattern of water. 8 A pre-rinse assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said pair of concentric rings of outlets are disposedperipherally of said pre-rinse to discharge a shower spray pattern ofwater.
 9. A pre-rinse assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidpre-rinse has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses and whichfurther comprises a spring biased detent disposed in fixed relation tosaid housing for selective placement coaxially in one of said recessesto retain said in a selected position relative to said housing.
 10. Aspray head assembly comprising a first housing having a passage for aflow of water; a connector mounted in and projecting from said housingin non-rotatable relation, said connector having an exterior threadthereon and an internal passage to conduct a flow of water therethrough;a second housing secured to said first housing and having a passage incommunication with said passage in said first housing to conduct a flowof water therethrough; and a spray head rotatably mounted on said secondhousing and having a plurality of openings for selective communicationwith said passage in said second housing to discharge water therefrom.11. A spray head assembly as set forth in claim 10 further comprising ahollow plug mounted coaxially between said second housing and saidconnector to retain said connector in said first housing.
 12. A sprayhead assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said spray head has atleast three circumferentially spaced apart ports for selectivecommunication with said passage in said second housing, one of saidports communicating with a first spout for discharge of a full stream ofwater therethrough, a second of said ports communicating with a secondspout of smaller diameter than said first spout for discharge of a jetstream of water therethrough and a third of said ports communicatingwith a plate having a plurality of outlets for discharge of a misttherethrough.
 13. A spray head assembly as set forth in claim 12 whereinsaid spray head has a fourth port for selective communication with saidpassage in said second housing, an internal chamber in communicationwith said fourth port to receive a flow of water therefrom and at leasta pair of concentric rings of openings in communication with saidchamber for discharge of a plurality of water streams therethrough. 14.A spray head assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said pair ofconcentric rings of outlets are disposed centrally of said spray head todischarge a center spray pattern of water.
 15. A spray head assembly asset forth in claim 13 wherein said pair of concentric rings of outletsare disposed peripherally of said spray head to discharge a shower spraypattern of water.
 16. A spray head assembly as set forth in claim 10wherein said spray head has a port for selective communication with saidpassage in said second housing, an internal chamber in communicationwith said port to receive a flow of water therefrom and at least a pairof concentric rings of openings in communication with said chamber fordischarge of a plurality of water streams therethrough.
 17. A spray headassembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pair of concentric ringsof outlets are disposed centrally of said spray head spray head todischarge a center spray pattern of water.
 18. A spray head assembly asset forth in claim 10 wherein said pair of concentric rings of outletsare disposed peripherally of said spray head to discharge a shower spraypattern of water.
 19. A spray head assembly as set forth in claim 10wherein said spray head has a plurality of circumferentially spacedrecesses and which further comprises a spring biased detent in saidsecond housing for selective placement coaxially in one of said recessesto retain said spray head in a selected position relative to said secondhousing.